Thanks! Everything turned out good, but re-living it now, I realized I did a lot of things wrong. The noise came from an upstairs reloading/ gun work area. Sometimes I have firearms up there I am cleaning, mounting scopes, etc. Didn't even take into consideration what was there at the time. Access is through a carport to outside staircase. The room wasn't locked, (mistake). We live on 10.5 acres, only had a trespasser once that I saw in 20 years.
So I get up at around 5am to use the restroom, didn't really hear anything. (pretty much deaf from gun shooting and drag racing). I go back to bed,my wife gets up for her turn in the bathroom, comes back out,and because totally dark, says "are you in here ?"( House is only750 sq ft) I say, 'yes, I'm in bed ' . Comes into the bedroom and whispers,"somebody is upstairs, moving things around!" We have a small cut out in the wall where our cat can get out of the weather, so I am thinking raccoons, or something of that nature. Armed with my flashlight and a revolver, proceed up the stairs. My wife is standing at the bottom of stairs with phone in hand.There is a small landing at top of stairs, about 3'x4' When I get there,I notice things don't look exactly right,like the cat blanket is gone. Then I try the doorhandle, and its locked! I know I didn't lock it the last time I was up there! This is when I should have retreated, and called 911. But didn't. Looked at the door, and although locked,wasnt fully shut.I shove open door with my foot, with gun and flashlight pointed, see this person 6or 7 ft from me standing there! It was surreal, almost like a dream. Ordered her to not move, or I would blow her f'ng head off. Told wife to call 911 and tell them I am holding person at gunpoint. Having some small talk with her, I asked if there was anyone else in the room with her. She said no. I was thinking,if she charges me, or someone else in the room does, I would get a shot off, but will also be falling about 8' to the concrete ! The first officer arrives, and asked me if I still had the gun, then asked me not to shoot him! LoL I guess. Runs up the stairs,he knows her, places her in cuffs, and escorts her to car. Then 6 other units arrive, a whole platoon! She was booked into county jail for felony burglary, $100.000 bail. Have some more to this story, but starting to ramble a little! Mainly as to why I think she was there?
Sorry for so long a story, but thanks for the well wishes!
Ken
You did alright.
Bad guy/gal is in jail, you and your wife are safe, and you won't have to face a Grand Jury for killing her. I call that a win for your side.
Hindsight is 20/20, and in this case will just make you better prepared in the future.
